Apparatus for applying parallel lines of paint to a paper sheet



Aug. 7, 1956 A. K. STEPHENS ETAL 2,757,636

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING PARALLEL LINES 0F PAINT TO A PAPER SHEET Filed Aug. 27, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN TORS A ndreu/ K. Stephens Lucian A. D bra 7, 1956 A. K. STEPHENS ET AL 2,757,636

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING PARALLEL LINES OF PAINT TO A PAPER SHEET Filed Au 27, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IO N mviNTcRs And ew K. tephens Lumen A. Dwbremi L United States atent O APPARATUS FOR APPLYING PARALLEL LINES OF PAINT TO A PAPER SHEET Andrew K. Stephens, Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Lucien A. Dubreuil, Norwood, Manitoba, Canada, assignors to G. F. Stephens and Company Limited, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Application August 27, 1954, Serial No. 452,486

2 Claims. (Cl. 118-410) Our invention relates to new and useful improvements in devices for marking paper for paint charts and the like, particularly paint charts of the type described in our copending United States patent application Serial Number 335,078, filed February 4, 1953, the principal object of our invention being to provide a device of the character herewithin described whereby a continuous sheet of paper can be marked with a plurality of color shades in parallel strips.

More particularly, the object is to paint or mark parallel lines of different shades on a roll of paper as a continuous process, the paper passing through the machine to be marked with the lines of paint or the like, and then passing through or near a source of heat so that they may be dried, whereupon the roll may be cut in convenient lengths as desired.

A further object of our invention is to provide a device of the character herewithiu described wherein lines of different widths may be produced and wherein the spac ing between adjacent lines may be varied depending upon circumstances.

Another object of our invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described wherein the flow of paint from the pen assemblies may be controlled accurately.

Still another object of our invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which is relatively simple in construction, yet which permits the rapid production of paint samples without the usualattending difficulties.

With the foregoing objects in view, and such other objects and advantages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates as this specification proceeds, our invention consists essentially in the arrangement and construction of parts all as hereinafter more particularly described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device.

Figure 2 is a perspective enlarged view of one of the pen assemblies.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary front elevation of part of the pen blade and supports therefor.

Figure 4 is a view substantially along the lines 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation of the upper portion of the machine.

Figure 6 is an enlarged side section of one of the pen assemblies.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

The production of samples for paint color charts and the like has always presented considerable diificulty to the industry, particularly the production of the conventional paint chip type of chart. However, with the paint sample system more fully described in our copending application hereinabove mentioned, it is necessary to produce a sheet containing a plurality of parallel strips of 2,757,636 Patented Aug. 7, 1956 color of varying shades, the production of which is not feasible by conventional methods.

The machine hereinafter to be described permits continuous production of a sheet of paper bearing a plurality of parallel strips of color of different shades and intensities, it being preferable to mark an entire roll of paper with the colors and then cut sheets therefrom to the necessary dimensions. I

Proceeding now to describe our invention in detail, it will be seen upon reference to the accompanying drawings that we have provided a supporting structure collectively designated 1 and consisting of a pair of parallel base members 2 spanned by transverse bars 3. Substantially vertical members 4 extend upwardly and, together with upwardly extending inclined members 5, form the general framework, horizontal members 6 completing the structure.

Bearings 7 mounted upon members 6, support for rotation a driven roller 8 carried upon spindle 9. A gear case 10 at one end thereof contains a gear 11 secured to spindle 9 and meshing with a further gear 12 secured to the end of a shaft 13 which in turn is supported for rotation within bearings 14 mounted upon brackets 15. This shaft 13 carries a pair of knurled friction wheels 16 and the relative size of the gears 11 and 12 and the rollers 8 and 16, are such that the peripheral speed of the roller 8 is similar to the peripheral speed of the wheels 16.

A source of power in the form of a motor 17 is mounted within the supporting framework and a belt 18 conveys drive therefrom to shaft 9 in the usual manner.

A roll of paper 19 is supported upon a shaft 20 which may be hooked into lugs 21 secured to the vertical members 4 and the paper is routed over a further roller (not illustrated) carried upon spindle 22 and thence over the roller 8 and between this roller and the friction wheels 16, the free end of the paper being indicated by the reference character 23.

Shaft or spindle 22 is mounted upon brackets 23 which in turn are mounted upon screw threaded rods 24 spanning members 4 and 5 and it will be appreciated that rotation of rods 24 will cause brackets 23 to move backwardly or forwardly and, as the paper passes around a roller carried by the brackets, the tension of the paper can be controlled accurately.

Also, it will be appreciated that rotation of shaft 9 by means of the motor 17 will cause the end 23 to be drawn around roller 8 facilitated by the frictional wheels 16, which are also driven at the same speed as hereinbefore described.

A plurality of pen assemblies collectively designated 25 are supported by a pen assembly supporting member 26, which is substantially a channel member as shown in section in Figure 7, and a base member 27 bolted thereto by means of bolts 28, spacers 29 being situated between the channel 26 and the member 27 for the purpose hereinafter to be explained.

Cylindrical hubs 30 are provided with flat lugs 31 on one side thereof adapted to be secured between the channel 26 and the base member 27 and to be held in position by the aforementioned bolts 28 so that the portions 30 extend outwardly from either end of the supporting member 26. These cylindrical portions 30 are supported by bearings 31 secured to braces 15, thus permitting partial rotation of the supporting member 26, together with the pen assemblies 25.

It is desirable to maintain the pen assemblies in a consistent relationship with the surface of the driven roller 8 at all times, but it will be appreciated that occasionally some slight variation in the surface may occur. We have", therefore, provided an adjustable support roller or levelling wheel 32 mounted upon brackets 33 which in turn is secured to the pen assembly supporting member 26 by means of a block 34 also engaged between the channel 26 and the base member 27. This wheel or roller 32 engages the surface of the roller 8 and is maintained in contact therewith by the provision of a counterweight 35 extending forwardly from the end of the portion 30 of the supporting member, as shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings. This counterweight insures that even pressure is maintained between the levelling wheel 32 and the surface of roller 8, and of course any irregularities in the surface of the roller 8 will cause the levelling wheel to ride thereover thus adjusting the position of the supporting member and the pen assemblies, thereby maintaining the exact clearance between the pen assemblies and the surface of the paper 23 passing thereunder.

Each pen assembly 25 is provided with a paint reservoir taking the form of a canister 35 supported by a housing 26 spanning the upper ends of members 4 of the supporting framework. A compressed gas manifold 36 communicates from a source of compressed gas (not illustrated) to each of the canisters 35 by means of valves 37 so that gas pressure within each canister 35 may be controlled individually. Flexible conduits 38 extend between each canister and the corresponding pen assembly and, although only three pen assemblies and three paint reservoirs are illustrated, it will nevertheless, be appreciated that any number can be used depending upon the width of the machine and the requirements of the operators.

Proceeding now to describe in detail the pen assemblies, same consist of a block or body portion 39 shaped as shown in Figure 2, the rear sides 40 being adapted to enter the afore-mentioned channel as shown in Figure 7 and being secured thereto by means of bolt 41 passing through the space between the channel and the base member 27 and engaging the blocks, thus clamping the blocks firmly in position upon the pen assembly supporting member. It will be appreciated, of course, that by loosening the nut or bolt 41, the pen assembly may be moved laterally, thus permitting spacing adjustment of the subsequently formed paint line upon the paper 23.

The body portion 39 of the pen assembly is provided with a transverse drilling 42 through which the flexible conduit 38 passes. This drilling opens out onto an openended reservoir recess 43 formed within the forward end portion 44 of the block or body 39 and it will be seen upon reference to Figure 2 that this recess is of an inverted Vshape and is open at the base 45, as well as the front thereof. A metal collar 46 engages within the forward end of the flexible conduit or tube 38, said collar having a flange 47, which engages against the front surface 48 of the body portion and is held in place by means of a screw 49 having a flat portion 50 thereon. In other words, when the flat portion 50 is turned so that it aligns with the flange 47, the metal collar 46 can be withdrawn for cleaning purposes or the like.

The flow of paint urged by the pressure of gas above the reservoir is controlled by means of a screw threaded spring loaded bolt and block assembly collectively designed 51. A vertical drilling 52 is provided within the body portion communicating with drilling 42, said drilling being enlarged at the base thereof to take a sliding block 53 which bears upon the flexible conduit 38. Drilling 52 is screw-threaded and engageable by means of bolt 54, the lower end of which bears against block 53, a spring 55 reacting between the head of the bolt and the surface of the body portion completing the assembly. It will be appreciated that rotation of the bolt 54 will cause the block 53 to restrict the flexible conduit 38, thus controlling the flow of paint therefrom.

A pen blade shown in detail in Figures 4 and 5 and identified by the reference character 56 consists of a substantially rectangular strip having blade portions 57 formed at intervals therealong. However, it will be appreciatcd that these could be individual, but for convenience of mounting, it is desired that they be made in one piece, as illustrated.

The pen portion 57 is bevelled at the lower inside extremity thereof as at 58, and is adapted to cover the front of the reservoir recess 43 on the body portion. The pen blade 56 is secured to an attaching strip 59 which in turn is secured to the pen assembly supporting member by means of bolts 60.

In operaion, the source of power rotates the roller 8 and the shaft 13, thus drawing the paper 23 from the roll 19 over the surface of roller 8. It will be appreci ated that the pen assemblies are positioned with the correct spacing desired and that the bevelled portion 58 of the pen blade 57 is substantially in wipe contact with the surface of the paper passing thereunder.

The paint containers are supplied with the necessary paints in the varying shades or intensities required and the compressed gas forces the paint through the flexible tube to the pen assemblies. It will be appreciated that the compressed gas insures a constant and even flow of point which might not be possible if gravity feed alone was relied upon.

The rate of flow to the individual pen assemblies is controlled by means of the bolt and block assembly hereinbefore described, the paint flowing through the flexible conduits 38 to the pen reservoir recess 43. It collects within this recess and also within the bevelled portion 58 of the pen blade, said bevelled portion being important in order to ensure an even flow of paint upon the paper.

The paper being drawn under the pen assemblies, the pen blade deposits an even strip of color on the paper, as clearly shown in Figure 6. The relationship between the pen blade and the surface of the paper is maintained by means of the levelling wheel or roller 32 together with the counterweights 35, thus ensuring an even deposit of paint upon the paper irrespective of any irregularities which may exist in the surface of the roller 8.

It will be appreciated that after passing through the device, the paper may be passed over or through heating means, which immediately dries the same, so that it can be stored ready for further use.

Finally, in order to facilitate adjustment of the machine while a run is in progress, it will be appreciated that means to disengage the drive rollers 16 from the paper 23 are desirable. In this embodiment the gear 12 also includes a conventional clutch (not illustrated) which may be used to disconnect the drive to shaft 13 so that the paper 23 does not continue passing through the machine while these adjustments are being made.

Since various modifications can be made in our invention as hereinabove described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

What we claim as our invention is:

l. A device for forming a plurality of parallel painted sample strips on a relatively long sheet of paper or the like, comprising in combination with a source of power, a supporting framework, a roller journalled for rotation within said framework and adapted to be driven by said source of power, at least one friction wheel adapted to bear on said roller, said paper adapted to pass over said roller and between said friction wheel, at least one pen assembly situated above said roller, means cooperating with said supporting framework to support said pen assembly, the feeding end of said pen assembly adapted to be in wiping contact with said paper passing over said roller, a paint reservoir for said pen assembly and communicating therewith, and a compressed gas manifold supported by said framework and communicating with said paint reservoir, said pen assembly including a body portion, a drilling in the base of said body portion, a flexible conduit within said drilling, a spring loaded screw and block assembly also within said body portion adapted to bear on said flexible conduit for restricting same, a reservoir recess on the forward end of said body portion, said conduit communicating with said reservoir recess, and a pen blade spanning said recess, the base of said pen blade being bevelled, the base of said pen blade being substantially in wiping contact with said paper.

2. The device according to claim 1 in which said means to support said pen assembly includes a transverse pen assembly supporting member, said member being journalled for partial rotation within said supporting framework, a support roller journalled for rotation on said pen References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 553,032 Kenna Jan. '14, 1896 1,594,583 Wood Aug. 3, 1926 2,144,263 Lane Jan. 17, 1939 2,225,066 MacKenzie Dec. 17, 1940 2,695,005 Lewin et a1 Nov. 23, 1954 

